The potential of public blockchain technology is enormous; however, a major obstacle stands in the way, gas fees. High transaction costs and the complexity of managing gas tokens across chains have created friction for new and seasoned users.
In response, Zerion has developed ZERϴ, a Layer 2 blockchain that eliminates gas fees specifically for EVM users.
Let’s explore what makes ZERϴ a potential breakthrough in making blockchain technology more accessible.
What is ZERϴ Network?
ZERϴ Network is a newly launched Layer 2 blockchain from the team behind Zerion Wallet, aimed at supporting gas-free transactions exclusively for Zerion Wallet users.
Using ZKsync’s ZK Stack, ZERϴ operates as an Ethereum-compatible rollup, allowing for seamless interactions with Ethereum-based applications without requiring users to pay gas fees.
This move is intended to enhance the accessibility of the Ethereum and ERC-20 ecosystem by reducing friction and smoothing blockchain interactions.
ZERϴ’s unique approach involves a paymaster system that covers gas costs specifically for Zerion Wallet users.
Unlike typical Layer 2 solutions that still pass costs on to users, ZERϴ’s model absorbs these expenses through a self-sustaining structure, allowing for a truly gas-free experience.
This makes it one of the first EVM-compatible rollups that enable dApps to function without transaction fees, creating a user experience that feels as straightforward as Web2 applications.
EVM compatibility is a core component of ZERϴ, making it possible for developers to port their existing applications from Ethereum mainnet or other Layer 2 networks. Through Zerion’s API, developers also gain real-time access to transaction data, wallet balances, NFTs, and more.
This level of integration aims to foster a thriving ecosystem where developers and users can interact without the complexities of gas management, positioning ZERϴ as a bridge to broader adoption by lowering the barriers to entry.
How are Transactions Free on ZERϴ?
ZERϴ’s gas-free transaction model is more than just a cost coverage—it’s designed to be sustainable over the long term.
Generally, Layer 2 networks have two types of costs per transaction: the execution cost on the Layer 2 chain and the cost of posting a batch of transactions to Ethereum’s Layer 1.
Many Layer 2 solutions pass both costs on to the user, but ZERϴ covers these expenses entirely for Zerion Wallet users, creating a truly gasless experience.
This is achieved through ZERϴ’s paymaster system and a unique “flywheel” model, which uses the network’s revenue to continually fund gas costs for users.
Unlike conventional gas subsidy programs that have limits, ZERϴ’s flywheel approach allows it to keep transactions free without restrictions, meaning Zerion Wallet users can interact on-chain without worrying about gas fees.
This system removes the need for users to manage gas balances, allowing them to focus on on-chain activities without the usual complexities.
To ensure fair usage and prevent abuse, ZERϴ employs Onchain DNA, a dynamic scoring mechanism that evaluates wallet addresses.
Initially, Onchain DNA uses the Total Value Locked (TVL) in wallets as a primary metric to assess eligibility for gas-free transactions, with plans to add more sophisticated criteria over time.
This approach ensures that the network remains available for legitimate users and reduces the risk of spam or bot activity.
Additionally, ZERϴ features Account Abstraction (AA), a technology that changes the way accounts function on the network.
Traditionally, Ethereum accounts are split into externally owned accounts (EOAs), which can initiate transactions, and contract accounts, which can execute logic.
With Account Abstraction, accounts on ZERϴ can initiate transactions while also implementing complex logic, much like smart contracts.
This enables the creation of “Smart Accounts,” which can be programmed with features such as multi-signature wallets, spending limits, and customs restrictions.
Combined with the paymaster system, Account Abstraction allows for a gas-free experience, further enhancing flexibility and usability.
The transaction flow diagram provided illustrates this process: when a Zerion Wallet user initiates a transaction, the paymaster steps in to handle the gas fees, allowing the transaction to proceed without any cost to the user.
This setup mirrors the ease of Web2 interactions, where users don’t encounter the complexities of backend mechanics, making blockchain feel as intuitive as any regular app.
Current Roadmap and Development
ZERϴ’s mainnet was launched on November 12, 2024, marking a significant milestone for Zerion and its users.
After the launch, Zerion Wallet users are now able to trade, mint, swap, and bridge assets without worrying about gas fees, thanks to ZERϴ’s integration into the Elastic Chain ecosystem powered by ZKsync.
This move brings Ethereum’s scalability and security into a user-centric experience designed to feel effortless and intuitive.
Zerion has partnered with leading dApps, including Highlight, DODO, Layer3, Galxe, and CoopRecords, to ensure a wide range of applications are available from day one.
Infrastructure partners like Decent, Hyperlane, and Caldera have also joined the effort, providing critical support for sequencer management, RPC endpoints, and network exploration.
Alongside these partnerships, ZERϴ has introduced a bug bounty program, offering rewards up to $25,000 for security improvements, highlighting its commitment to a safe and resilient network.
Zerion’s co-founder, Evgeny Yurtaev, envisions ZERϴ as a platform where users can engage with blockchain without worrying about gas or transaction mechanics.
By making gas fees a thing of the past, Zerion aims to simplify the crypto experience, allowing users to “just send, swap, mint, or do anything they want on-chain” without extra mental load.
With the network’s launch, ZERϴ is on track to make this vision a reality, setting a new standard for Layer 2 usability.
Is There a Native Token?
Unlike many blockchain networks, ZERϴ does not rely on a native token. Instead, it allows any ERC-20 token to be used for transaction fees, although Zerion Wallet users benefit from fee coverage thanks to the paymaster system.
This token-agnostic approach simplifies the user experience by removing the need to hold a specific token to engage within the ZERϴ ecosystem, making it easier for Zerion Wallet users to interact on-chain without any hassle.
At this stage, there are no indications that a ZERϴ token will be launched. The project did not raise funds from venture capital for this specific development, which is often a trigger for token launches in other projects.
However, Zerion has raised $8.2 million in a Series A funding round led by Mosaic Ventures, with support from investors like Digital Currency Group, Placeholder, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
This funding likely supports Zerion’s overall development, including ZERϴ, and may provide flexibility for their future.
For those who are interested, it’s worth keeping an eye on Zerion’s channels, as the project could offer incentives or rewards for early adopters, although this is speculative.
For now, the focus remains on delivering a smooth, gas-free experience for Zerion Wallet users without the need for a native token.
Conclusion
ZERϴ is redefining blockchain interaction by making gas-free transactions a reality, exclusively for Zerion Wallet users. Built on ZKsync’s ZK Stack as a Layer 2 solution, ZERϴ combines gas-free functionality with full EVM compatibility, making it as easy to use as any Web2 app.
For users, this means a streamlined on-chain experience without the usual overhead of managing gas fees or native tokens.
Whether you’re a developer looking for a flexible Layer 2 environment or a user interested in exploring the blockchain without added complexity, ZERϴ offers a unique, frictionless experience.
